Who does your welding? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crawdad · 10-05-2004, 01:12 AM

For you folks who do some of the more extensive rebuilds, who does your welding? Are most of you doing it yourself, or do you have a body shop do it for you. Do you all try to do most everything yourself, or do you let other people do some of the work. After looking at some of the pictures and reading about some of the rebuilds, I'm thinking man! these people are super talented, have lots of time, money AND know how. I'm a pretty good wrench, but I can't weld anything, and most everything I have on my truck needs...welding. Just curious as to how much you do yourself, and how you came to know how to do it all.

longhorn71 · 10-05-2004, 01:35 AM

MY friend is at ticketed welder so i do it with his help.it is not that hard to learn but do not start on your truck until you learn to weld on somthing else.
I bought a cheap lincion mig [500 BUCKS]with gas support and it works great on body work.I HAD NO IDEA how to weld when i started my truck but learned it in a couple of nights and now i have changed rockers and the floor it.

chevy69er · 10-05-2004, 01:36 AM

well i havent welded anything on my truck yet but i do plan on it.seeing as how thats what im going to school for it works out and will save me money.the only thing i will pay someone to do is paint...i can wrench but painting isnt my thing.

cdowns · 10-05-2004, 05:52 AM

you can pay to have someone do it or you can spend a fraction of that money buy yourself a good mig welder around $500 get some junk fenderds doors etc spend around 20hours practicing and you'll be good to go for alot less money than paying apro and then you'll have the tools and another lifelong skill

Tx Firefighter · 10-05-2004, 07:34 AM

Believe me, you can buy a welder for way less than paying some one else to do the work for you if they're charging you normal prices for their work.

A decent Mig welder will make welding fairly easy. Some even come with a video tape showing how to weld.

It kind of like giving a man a meal or teaching him how to fish. Go buy yourself a fishing pole so you can feed yourself for the rest of your life.

**JIMs70GMC** · 10-05-2004, 08:13 AM

Bought my Lincoln 100HD for $325 did not have gas but came with 12 lbs of flex core. The gas upgrade is about $100. Going to get that soon. Went through the 2 lb spool already and feel confident to work on my sheet metal now. I'd never welded before buying my Lincoln. Also came w/ video and book.

**lock** · 10-05-2004, 08:33 AM

I enjoy the build of a vehicle as much as driving it. Im trying to do all I can on my truck. Im learning to weld as I go. Like others have said, you can spend about $500 and get a nice setup and do it yourself or spend at least that much having some one else do it. I've been on both sides as I had work done on a previous car. Had I learned the first time to do it myself, I'd be in even better shape on my truck.

Rollie396 · 10-05-2004, 08:39 AM

I'm a welder by trade but I'm not used to welding gauge so I'm learning yet too

.I splurged on a MM210 and love it!It'll do anything I need it for on my truck and will make me alittle on the side as well.

bobs409 · 10-05-2004, 08:43 AM

I couldn't find anyone that was willing to weld patches for me so I had no choice but to buy a welder and learn! It's one of the greatest tools I own. The quality of the work on my vehicles has gone sky high and there's not much I can't fix now. You'll be welding within the first 15 minutes but to get real good takes lots of practice.

P.S. I only have a $199 dollar wire feed welder but it does the job. Will eventually go with a gas mig welder when the money allows.

Blue Beard · 10-05-2004, 08:45 AM

Been doing my own for near 20 years......at todays labor rates it gets out of hand.

Putter · 10-05-2004, 09:09 AM

JIMs70GMC & BOBS409,
You both mentioned that you intend to get a gas setup for your welders....and you say you do good work now....ONCE YOU GET THE GAS, you will be amazed at how well you can do it. GAS vs. NO GAS is like night and day. It is so clean and pretty with gas. It is the best upgrade I ever made.....that and the auto darkening helmet.

**Bowtie468** · 10-05-2004, 10:10 AM

I do my own welding. Have been ever since high school. It takes some practice, but its pretty darn easy.

**JIMs70GMC** · 10-05-2004, 10:37 AM

Putter, I can't wait to get the gas set-up, as for the auto-darkening helmet, got me one of those for Christmas last year.

Southpa · 10-05-2004, 11:06 AM

I do my own welding, did all my cab supports, corners and rockers with my trusty little stick welder, yeah I know, I'm

! I sure got good penetration!

But I don't think I would try the same on any external body panels.

raphyel · 10-05-2004, 11:33 AM

For body panels such as cab corners or others where you have to butt weld, It's pretty easy. Just make a lot of tacks about an inch apart from each other. Then make a series of tacks in between. The final step is to turn the power up just a little and connect the tacks. The most inportant thing in my opinion is to do a lot of tacks and also to have a good mating surface. If you use a mig, you cane have a slightly larger gap and it's much easier than stick welding. Also, you can build on thin metal with a mig very easily.

biglou55 · 10-05-2004, 11:44 AM

I bought a lincon mig gas welder and a plasma cutter i plan to do my own when i get that far. i went too school for stick and torch welding 20 yeaers ago this mig thing is new to me. but i will enjoy it i,m sure.

grayw0lf · 10-05-2004, 12:09 PM

Piece of cake. I taught myself to weld via a book & asking many questions. (MIG, or course). Its actually pretty easty. Just test your settings & techniques on some scrap pieces & your good to go.

A bit of grinding is all it takes to make it look decent. If you really mess up... grind it off & try again.

crawdad · 10-05-2004, 01:21 PM

I thought MIG welding was used primarily for aluminum, and TIG welding primarily for steel/sheet metals. Are they interchangeable, or is it just that MIG can be used for both? Thanks.

Tx Firefighter · 10-05-2004, 02:08 PM

You can do either steel or aluminum with either MIG or TIG.

Mig welding aluminum is poor at best compared to the job TIG does on aluminum though. MIGs really shine on steel. TIGs shine on anything.

*1972C10* · 10-05-2004, 02:13 PM

I do all the welding on any of my vehicles. I remember when all i had was an AC Arc Welder and i did everything with it tailpipes anything Ive since then aquired a few wire feeders and there where its at Heck i even welded a a few mufflers on with a torch.

But dont think you can arc weld just cause you can run a mig Mig welding is by far the easiest process that i can think of, But arc will be obselete before long Except maybe in portable repairs.

Southpa · 10-05-2004, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Heck i even welded a a few mufflers on with a torch.

LOL, you just reminded me of when I repaired some tail pipe, with a coathanger as filler metal!

*1972C10* · 10-05-2004, 03:14 PM

Shoot dont nothing compar to the strenght of a coathanger

stickshift_or_walk · 10-05-2004, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1972C10

Shoot dont nothing compar to the strenght of a coathanger

Bailin' wire.

SSOW

*1972C10* · 10-05-2004, 04:08 PM

You know ive never tryed to weld with bailing wire but im sure it would work as well as coathanger.

krue · 10-05-2004, 04:24 PM

I always just beat the flux off of a welding rod and used it for my exhaust pipe welding.

10-05-2004, 01:12 AM	#1
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	Who does your welding? For you folks who do some of the more extensive rebuilds, who does your welding? Are most of you doing it yourself, or do you have a body shop do it for you. Do you all try to do most everything yourself, or do you let other people do some of the work. After looking at some of the pictures and reading about some of the rebuilds, I'm thinking man! these people are super talented, have lots of time, money AND know how. I'm a pretty good wrench, but I can't weld anything, and most everything I have on my truck needs...welding. Just curious as to how much you do yourself, and how you came to know how to do it all. __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

10-05-2004, 01:36 AM	#3
chevy69er Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lakewood,Ca Posts: 69	well i havent welded anything on my truck yet but i do plan on it.seeing as how thats what im going to school for it works out and will save me money.the only thing i will pay someone to do is paint...i can wrench but painting isnt my thing. __________________ 1969 C-20,383 stroker,sm465,custom long travel front suspension,4 wheel disc brakes,35" pro comps...mods under way include: 4x4 conversion,and custom bumpers.future mods include: gear vendors od unit,and relocation of fuel cell.

10-05-2004, 05:52 AM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	you can pay to have someone do it or you can spend a fraction of that money buy yourself a good mig welder around $500 get some junk fenderds doors etc spend around 20hours practicing and you'll be good to go for alot less money than paying apro and then you'll have the tools and another lifelong skill __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-05-2004, 07:34 AM	#5
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Believe me, you can buy a welder for way less than paying some one else to do the work for you if they're charging you normal prices for their work. A decent Mig welder will make welding fairly easy. Some even come with a video tape showing how to weld. It kind of like giving a man a meal or teaching him how to fish. Go buy yourself a fishing pole so you can feed yourself for the rest of your life. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-05-2004, 08:13 AM	#6
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Bought my Lincoln 100HD for $325 did not have gas but came with 12 lbs of flex core. The gas upgrade is about $100. Going to get that soon. Went through the 2 lb spool already and feel confident to work on my sheet metal now. I'd never welded before buying my Lincoln. Also came w/ video and book. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

10-05-2004, 01:35 AM	#2
longhorn71 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: CANADA Posts: 1,681	MY friend is at ticketed welder so i do it with his help.it is not that hard to learn but do not start on your truck until you learn to weld on somthing else. I bought a cheap lincion mig [500 BUCKS]with gas support and it works great on body work.I HAD NO IDEA how to weld when i started my truck but learned it in a couple of nights and now i have changed rockers and the floor it.

10-05-2004, 08:33 AM	#7
lock Insert funny comment. Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Concord NC Posts: 621	I enjoy the build of a vehicle as much as driving it. Im trying to do all I can on my truck. Im learning to weld as I go. Like others have said, you can spend about $500 and get a nice setup and do it yourself or spend at least that much having some one else do it. I've been on both sides as I had work done on a previous car. Had I learned the first time to do it myself, I'd be in even better shape on my truck. __________________ ------------ - Mark -My Build Thread... -68 C10, LT1 - Undergoing Frame off resto -86 IROC-Z T72 turbo 355, M6 -70 Camaro http://www.iroc-ss.com

10-05-2004, 08:39 AM	#8
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	I'm a welder by trade but I'm not used to welding gauge so I'm learning yet too .I splurged on a MM210 and love it!It'll do anything I need it for on my truck and will make me alittle on the side as well. __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics

10-05-2004, 08:43 AM	#9
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	I couldn't find anyone that was willing to weld patches for me so I had no choice but to buy a welder and learn! It's one of the greatest tools I own. The quality of the work on my vehicles has gone sky high and there's not much I can't fix now. You'll be welding within the first 15 minutes but to get real good takes lots of practice. P.S. I only have a $199 dollar wire feed welder but it does the job. Will eventually go with a gas mig welder when the money allows. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

10-05-2004, 08:45 AM	#10
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	Been doing my own for near 20 years......at todays labor rates it gets out of hand. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

10-05-2004, 09:09 AM	#11
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	JIMs70GMC & BOBS409, You both mentioned that you intend to get a gas setup for your welders....and you say you do good work now....ONCE YOU GET THE GAS, you will be amazed at how well you can do it. GAS vs. NO GAS is like night and day. It is so clean and pretty with gas. It is the best upgrade I ever made.....that and the auto darkening helmet. __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

10-05-2004, 10:10 AM	#12
Bowtie468 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Cecilia, Louisiana Posts: 1,638	I do my own welding. Have been ever since high school. It takes some practice, but its pretty darn easy. __________________ Chris click here to see my buildpage http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=394656 ---------------------------------- 1979 C10 Silverado Big10 SWB Factory 454/400 Cardinal Red/Santa Fe Tan (original paint) 1969 Camaro X44 LS swap 1968 C10 SWB Fleetside (SOLD) 468BBC MultiPort TPI / Dynamic EFI P4 Black/Black 1963 Nova SS convertible (SOLD) 194 I6/ PowerGlide

10-05-2004, 10:37 AM	#13
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Putter, I can't wait to get the gas set-up, as for the auto-darkening helmet, got me one of those for Christmas last year. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

10-05-2004, 11:06 AM	#14
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,410	I do my own welding, did all my cab supports, corners and rockers with my trusty little stick welder, yeah I know, I'm ! I sure got good penetration! But I don't think I would try the same on any external body panels. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

10-05-2004, 11:33 AM	#15
raphyel Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cranston, RI Posts: 162	An easy fix For body panels such as cab corners or others where you have to butt weld, It's pretty easy. Just make a lot of tacks about an inch apart from each other. Then make a series of tacks in between. The final step is to turn the power up just a little and connect the tacks. The most inportant thing in my opinion is to do a lot of tacks and also to have a good mating surface. If you use a mig, you cane have a slightly larger gap and it's much easier than stick welding. Also, you can build on thin metal with a mig very easily.



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10-05-2004, 11:44 AM	#16
biglou55 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Greenfield Mass. Posts: 551	I bought a lincon mig gas welder and a plasma cutter i plan to do my own when i get that far. i went too school for stick and torch welding 20 yeaers ago this mig thing is new to me. but i will enjoy it i,m sure. __________________ Certifiably crazy person

10-05-2004, 12:09 PM	#17
grayw0lf Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Clanton, AL Posts: 1,253	Piece of cake. I taught myself to weld via a book & asking many questions. (MIG, or course). Its actually pretty easty. Just test your settings & techniques on some scrap pieces & your good to go. A bit of grinding is all it takes to make it look decent. If you really mess up... grind it off & try again. __________________ 85' CUCV M1009!!! The newest addition! 6.2diesel, Th400, NP208, & only 36k miles! 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside - Looking good these days! 05' Dodge Neon 88' Winner Escape Sport 1750 - 4.3v6 94' Seadoo SP 84' Honda TRX200, bare nekkid. Just a frame & tires. Always looking for another project or any good deal!

10-05-2004, 01:21 PM	#18
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	I thought MIG welding was used primarily for aluminum, and TIG welding primarily for steel/sheet metals. Are they interchangeable, or is it just that MIG can be used for both? Thanks. __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

10-05-2004, 02:08 PM	#19
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	You can do either steel or aluminum with either MIG or TIG. Mig welding aluminum is poor at best compared to the job TIG does on aluminum though. MIGs really shine on steel. TIGs shine on anything. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-05-2004, 02:13 PM	#20
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	I do all the welding on any of my vehicles. I remember when all i had was an AC Arc Welder and i did everything with it tailpipes anything Ive since then aquired a few wire feeders and there where its at Heck i even welded a a few mufflers on with a torch. But dont think you can arc weld just cause you can run a mig Mig welding is by far the easiest process that i can think of, But arc will be obselete before long Except maybe in portable repairs.

10-05-2004, 03:14 PM	#22
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	Shoot dont nothing compar to the strenght of a coathanger

10-05-2004, 04:08 PM	#24
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	You know ive never tryed to weld with bailing wire but im sure it would work as well as coathanger.

10-05-2004, 04:24 PM	#25
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	I always just beat the flux off of a welding rod and used it for my exhaust pipe welding. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

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